Wheel checking device



Oct. 14, 1952 N. .1. BROUWER' 2,613,447

WHEEL CHECKING DEVICE Filed sept. 2e, 195o 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 TIE-4 1: TCE-5 in ,53W W INVENT0R- NCK J- BRouweR ATTRNEYS Patented Oct. 14, 1.952V

UNITED" PATENT: v

e DEVICE Nick Brouwer, Rock Valley,`lvowa n Application septemer 26,1950, serial No'. 186,873

This invention relates to testing vdevicesior checking the alignment of wheels', axles, .brake drums, and other rotatingportions ofth'efwheel and axle assembly of an automobile, "andmore particularly to an indicatingdevice' for determining the degree of eccentricity-ofwheels,A brake drums, and other rotatingptions of`the wheel' and axle assembly of the vehicle'. l l Y l A main object of the inventionis'toj provide a novel ,and improved testing device for checking the alignment of wheels 'and otherportions of the wheel and axle assembly" of `a vehicle, said deviceA being very simple in construction, 'being'easy to use, and involving relatively few parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved testing 'device for determining the eccentricity of wheels, brake drums, axlesjand other components of the wheel and axle assembly of a vehicle, saidV devicel being inexpensive to fabricate, being rugged `in construction, and providing accurate indications. "l f f Y Further objects andV advantages of `the invention will become apparent from `the following description and claims, and 'from the-accompanying drawings, wherein: I

Figure 1 is an elevational view ofone form of eccentricity testing device according tothe present invention, shown in position f for measuring the degree of eccentricity ofthe' rim portion `of awheel; j Y

Figure 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional,` detail view taken on line 2-2'of'Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional, detailview-taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2; l 1

Figure 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional,`detail view taken on line 4`4` of VFigure Figure 5 is an enlarged, rear', elevational', detail view of the indicating portion of thedevice;

Figure 6 is a front elevational' view' ofthe indicating portion of the device'shown in a deflected position; 5j f- Figure 'I is a perspective, detail-@view of the gauge rod supporting backet einploye'd'in-the arrangement of Figure 1; Y "i v' u Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing a modied form of gauge device according to the present invention positioned to measure dthe degree of eccentricity of the bead -portionof a rear vehicle Figure 9 is a perspective, detailview of the gauge rod supporting `bracket .employed in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 7,-I I designates a rectangular frame comprising bottomchannels I ertical Y solaires. :(cl. ca -203.16)

the channel flanges. I Designated at I5 is a vertical supporting post secured'to the intermediatepor-v tions of the bottomA channelsl2, the top end of the post being suitably formed to rotatively mount a wheel, such as shown at I 6, in horizontal positionfor free rotation around the axis of the post. Designated at I'I is a bracket member, shown in Figure '7, comprising a plate I8, tothe upper edge of which is rigidly secured a sleeve I9 extending perpendicular to the plate. Plate I8 is adjustablyV clamped transversely to the inner flanges of one set of vertical channels I3, I3 by a bolt 20 extending between the channel flanges and provided' at its outer end with a Washer 2I "and a clamping nut 22. As shown-inFigures 1 to v3, the sleevejIS extends-inwardlyV ofl the frame:

- being parallel to each other. Designated at 28 is an indicator bar pivotally connected at 29 and 30 to the plate 2B and plate 25- parallel to the links 21, 2l, said pivotal connections 29and 3|J`being in horizontal alignment with-the respective lower and upper pivotal connections ofthe links 2'I, 2l, whereby the bar 28-swingssynchronously with the links. The topend ofbar 28 isf'ormed as a pointer'3l, andthe top marginal `portionof plate 25 is inscribed*l witha'n'arcuate scale 32 disposed adjacent vthe tipfofsaidpointer.

As shown in Fgures'll and 5,1the plate 25 has secured to its rear surface a depending arm 33 whose lower end is pivotally engaged between the inner ends of a pair of horizontal stop screws 34, 34 adjustably carried in tapped lugs 35, 35 projecting from the rear surface Vof plate 26.

Plate 26 is formed at its lower margin with a sleeve 36. Adjustably secured in sleeve 36 by means'of a wing-set screw 31 is a horizontal rod 38.` Secured tothe end of rod 38 is a depending vertical bolt 39. ,Rotatably-carried `on the bolt end channels I3, -I3 secured to'fthe end ,o 'ff the bottom channels, and top channels I4 secured to the top ends of the vertical'channels I3. A pair of vertical channels I3, I3are provided atpeach end of the frame, the flanges thereofbeing inwardly turned, asshown in Figure 2*,andthe channels being connected in any suitable manner to provide a space between the opposing edges of 39 isa' peripherally grooved feeler roller 40.

` In using the device lof Figures 1 to 7, the wheel or other member tobe tested for eccentricity is mountedA on the post I5 in the manner shown in Figure 1, wherein a wheel I6 of the drop center rim. type is Ishown so mounted. -The bracket I1 and the rod 23are adjustedto positions wherein the feelerl roller 40 engages a 4pe ripheral portion of the member being tested,y for example, the outer rim portion 4I of the wheel It. Assuming thatfthe roller 40 .just'makes contact `with* the portion 4I at the starting position, pointer 3I` `will be centered and indicate z ero on scale 32." When 'c the wheelis rotated,

40 will cause the lower plate 26 to be moved horizontally, causing bar 28 to rotate around pivot 30 and providingian indication ofeccentricity on scale 32 bylineansfof'pinter 3 I,

supported. Designated at 44 is a fragmentarygportion of a vehicle rear axle housing, said housing being shown elevated by" means of a suitable jack 45 supported onta cross` beam 4 6N` engaged on the treads of the rack. Designated generally at 4'! is a bracket comprising 'spaced horizontal plates 48 and 49 connected by a rivet 50 'andby 'a lrear. wallA section 5J. Secured -to the top` plate 4 9-'at.it's rear margin is av'ertical upstanding sleeve 52,.' Telescopically received inv sl`eeve'52 and adjustably secured therein by a wing set screw 53'is"'averticalrodY 54 carrying a horizontal sleeve 55 at. its. top; end. Adjustably secured in sleeve 55 byy means'y of a wing Y.

set` screw. 56 isl the"ro`df2 3v of'an indicatorassenibly Tsim'ilar.' to that employed in Figures 1 to v l y a The outer, edge of the tread 4 3 is received between the' plates 48 and 49, is threaded through top; plate 49 and lockingly engagestread 43;

"The'positions, otY rodsk 23 and 534 may bev ad-- justed so that'feeler'roller 40, engages any wheel element which it; is desired to testl vfor eccentrieity, for example, as shownin Figure 8, the grooved portion of roller 4l!y may,-recei ve the outer` bead of the, rim ofthe wheel. When the Wheel is rotated, eccentricity ofthe portion engaged by roller 4 0 will cause the pointer 3 1 to bel swung along scale 32, as shown in Figure 6.

The device may be employed toy check the trueness of any part of the wheel andaxle assembly, such as the brake drum, axle end, wheel rim, tire'yetc. f

While certain specific embodimentsofthe testing device for checking the'alignnient or wheels and other rotating components of the wheel and axle assemblyof a vehicle have been disclosed in the foregoing description, itwillbe understood that various modications within `the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the-inventionfeigcept as dened by the scope of the appended claims,

What is claimed is: Y. f

l. A wheel checkingdevice. comprising a n rst upstanding plate having one face 4provided with an arcuate scale, a rod arranged longitudinally of said plate and havingoneend fixed tosaid plate,` a bracket connected vto the otherend of said rod and adapted to be ilxedly secured toga A set' screw, 5T

i li4 the projecting end of said second rod, a feeler elementvrotatably supported ony said bolt inwerfen," of 'the ther end't ereor a securing e19- merit'carriecl by said sleeveand engageable with said second rod for securing said second rod in position within said sleeve, and an upstanding lo Y l movement of said second plate relative to said wheelsupport, as'e'cond upstanding platearranged below and in longitudinal spaced aligned relation with respect-'tosaid first plate, a pair of Aspaced links eictending'froni the ',calibrating face of said st plate adjacent the lower lend having the upper end dependingly connectedfto pointer positioned intermediate and in parallel spaced relation with respect to said pair of links and connected to said rst and second plates for swinging, movement simultaneously with the first plate, the upper end of said pointer being contiguous to and spaced from the arcuate scale ofthe rst plate.

.2,-A wheel checking device comprising a rst upstandingplate having one face provided with anarcuatescale, a rod arranged longitudinally of `said plate and having. one end xed to said plate,` ajbraclret connected to the other end of said rod` and adapted to be xedly secured to a Wheel support, a second upstanding plate arranged below and in longitudinal spaced aligned relation with respect to said first plate, a pair of spaced linlgs extending from thecalibrated face ofysaid rst plateadjacentthe lower end of the latter named'plateto thecomplemental one face of the second plateA adjacent the upper end oi the` last mentioned plate and connecting said second plate toi said rstfplate for. Swinging movementrelative to saidn nrst plate, a sleeve extending longitudinally ,oi and along the lower end of said second plate and 'dependingly carried by the lower end of said second plate, a second rod positioned in and slidablysiipported in said sleeve and having one endl projecting beyond said sleeve, a vertical bolt arranged contiguous to the projecting end o f said second rod and having the upper end dependingly connected to the projecting end of said, second rod, a feeler elementy rotatably supported on said bolt inwardly ofthe other end thereof, a securing element carried by said sleeve and engageable with said second rod for securing said second rod in position within said sleeve, an` llllStandingl pointer positioned intermediate and in parallel lspaced relation with respect to said pair of links and connected to said rst and second plates for swinging movement simultaneously with the movement of said second plate relative to saidilrst plate, the upper end of said pointer being contiguous to and spaced from the arcuate scale of said rst'plata. a vertical arm arranged adjacfntthe other face ofhsaid irst plate and having the upper end dependingly secured to said rst plate, and opposed rotatable screws ony theother face vof said second plate and engagingly receiving therebetween the lower end of said arm. i f

J, BRQUWER.

-lt-EEBENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille oi this' patent:4

lUNITED STATES PATENTS 

